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Team Begins Quest For Third Straight League Championship
Posted: 3/29/2008
Box Score | More Men's Tennis news
Senior Jonathan Siemen will be key to the Falcons' run for a third straight MAC Commonwealth title this spring.

Grantham, PA — After winning both the 2006 and 2007 MAC Commonwealth Championships, the Messiah College men’s tennis team successfully began its pursuit for a three-peat Saturday afternoon, knocking off league foe Albright College by an 8-1 score at the Messiah College Tennis Complex.

Messiah (3-6-1, 1-0) recorded its first win in its last four matches, taking five singles wins in straight sets while allowing just three games to the Lions in doubles play overall.

“Obviously, it is nice to get our first conference win under our belt, and our guys have designs on defending the MAC Commonwealth title,” said Frank Petre, Messiah head coach. “The first objective of the season is to win the MAC and then progress to the NCAA’s (team tournament).”

Petre's group was led by seniors Nate Ipsen and Jonathan Siemen in the win, as Ipsen (number one singles) and Siemen (number two singles) set the tone with 6-0, 6-1 and 6-1, 6-0 wins at their respective flights. Classmate William Tanis followed in suit at the number five singles slot with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Albright’s Phil Bobbitt, while freshman Jansen Hein made his league debut solid, knocking out Albright’s Jason Lefkoe in a 6-0, 6-1 decision at the number four singles flight.

Ipsen and Siemen teamed to claim an 8-2 win in the top doubles set, while Shorts and Tannis won the number two doubles event by an 8-1 score. Hein combined with sophomore Luke Ruch for an 8-0 win in the third and final doubles slot.

Only Falcons’ freshman Timo Nivala suffered a defeat on the afternoon, taking Albright’s Marko Buvka to a tiebreak in the first set before falling by a 7-6 (4-0), 6-3 count.

“Nate and Jonathan continue to lead this team,” Petre said. “They’ve been here before and have had a lot of success over the last two years. Collectively, we feed off of their lead.”

Messiah will embark on its second conference match next, as the team will travel to Lebanon Valley College Wednesday. Match time is set for 3:30 p.m.